The criteria for Audubon Nature Institute Board members includes: evidence of civic or business leadership; experience on other area non-profit boards; past support or capacity to support Audubon at a significant level; ability to connect Audubon to new funding opportunities; commitment to improving the quality of life for theentire community.

Provide a summary of the project or program:Audubon Nature Institute requests a total appropriation of $50,419,400 million in state capital outlay, reauthorizing funding that was in 2016 HB2 Act 16 SES and moving $13.8 million from P5 to P1 to support renovations at Audubon Aquarium of the Americas:

· $24,819,400 in Priority 1: $11,019,400 for which the State Bond Commission approved a new Cash Line of Credit and $13,800,00 which is in P5 and is awaiting a new Non-Cash Line of Credit· $5,418,400 in Priority 2, which is awaiting a new Cash Line of Credit; and· $20,181,600 in Priority 5, which is awaiting a new Non-Cash Line of Credit.An executed CEA is in place for Audubon 2020; the P2 funding previously received a Cash Line of Credit, and the P5 funding previously received a Non-Cash Line of Credit.

Audubon manages the nation’s largest collection of nature-themed attractions and our facilities are among the state’s top paid attendance destinations. Audubon 2020 will improve facility infrastructure and exhibits while making additions and enhancements that invest in a dynamic existing business in a growing sector—a plan consistent with economic development best practices.

Audubon Nature Institute is adding $125 million in new projects by 2020. This $50.4 million capital investment by the State of Louisiana in 2017-18 (to be matched by dollar for dollar by funds raised by Audubon Nature Institute) is a significant step in helping Audubon keep pace with other national nature attractions while ensuring New Orleans remains a driving force in regional tourism.

Audubon’s operational spending, along with capital spending and Audubon’s visitors’ spending, generates an annual economic impact of more than $583 million, yielding $37 million for state and local tax collections (J. Richardson, The Role of Audubon Nature Institute in the Greater New Orleans Area, February 2014). When completed, Audubon 2020 capital projects would increase that annual economic impact to $996 million. Funds generated annually through local and state tax collections would increase 100% to $74 million. Dr. Richardson’s study illustrates that for every $10 million invested in major capital projects, Audubon’s total economic impact increases $23 million per year, approximately 80 net new permanent jobs are created, and $2.1 million in new revenues per year are produced for state and local governments. The payback period for state and local government investments is less than five years after the capital project’s completion.

Audubon 2020 encompasses $73 million in new projects and $52 million in major upgrades to existing facilities starting in 2009 and concluding no later than 2020. Projects in our 2017-18 request are expected to be completed by 2019. Projects under construction include Audubon Louisiana Nature Center restoration, Cooper Plaza enhancements, Jaguar Jungle II; Tropical Birdhouse Roof and Improvements is ready to bid; all other projects are in design development or feasibility assessment phase. An additional $75 million in Audubon 2020 projects have been completed or are in progress without state funds.

Does your organization have any outstanding audit issues or findings?No

If 'Yes' is your organization working with the appropriate governmental agencies to resolve those issues or findings?

What is the entity's public purpose, sought to be achieved through the use of state monies?Audubon Nature Institute is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit family of facilities linked with the unifying purpose of celebrating the wonders of nature and an ambitious vision to enrich the City of New Orleans with an unrivaled collection of living science museums, tranquil parks, and renowned research centers. Through its public facilities - Audubon Zoo and Audubon Park, Audubon Aquarium of the Americas, Entergy Giant Screen Theater, Audubon Insectarium, Woldenberg Riverfront Park, Audubon Louisiana Nature Center (under construction) and Audubon Wilderness Park - Audubon gives New Orleans families and their visitors new and ever-expanding opportunities to enjoy and contemplate the marvels of life. And through its conservation campus, Freeport-McMoRan Audubon Species Survival Center, Audubon works to ensure the same opportunities for future generations through programs such as Alliance for Sustainable Wildlife and Gulf United for Lasting Fisheries.

The eight basic tenets of Audubon’s mission statement guide decisions at all facilities. • Provide a guest experience of outstanding quality. • Exhibit the diversity of wildlife.• Preserve native Louisiana habitats.• Educate our diverse audience about the natural world.• Enhance the care and survival of wildlife through research and conservation.• Provide opportunities for recreation in natural settings.• Operate a financially self-sufficient collection of museums and parks.• Weave quality entertainment through the guest experience.

Audubon Zoo opened in 1919 in uptown New Orleans on the site of the 1884 World’s Fair and Cotton Exposition. The success and growth of Audubon Zoo waxed and waned until the 1970’s, when declining resources and limited interest found the Zoo at an all-time low. The City took action and, through the Audubon Commission’s governance and with public and private support raised through Friends of the Zoo, transformed the Zoo’s image from an “animal ghetto” to an “urban oasis.” Friends of the Zoo, which originally held the management contract with the city, has evolved into Audubon Nature Institute, which currently operates ten Audubon facilities on behalf of the City of New Orleans.

Celebrating the Wonders of Nature in a city where celebrations are woven into the basic fabric of life, each member of Audubon Nature Institute’s family has been greeted with success, measured in such tangibles as: visitor attendance which far surpasses projections; the hatching of critically endangered birds such as Mississippi sandhill cranes and whooping cranes; the births of endangered species including Amur leopards and a Sumatran orangutan; and research firsts such as the birth of endangered African wildcats through the use of assisted reproductive technologies like cloning. The annual economic impact of Audubon is estimated at $583 million, with a significant increase to $996 million expected after Audubon 2020 projects are completed (J. Richardson, The Role of Audubon Nature Institute in the Greater New Orleans Area, 2014).

Audubon’s state capital outlay request will build upon its proven track record of success, giving a strong framework to ensure Audubon Nature Institute continues to provide a stimulus for tourism for the city, a positive economic impact for the state, and a cultural and conservation resource for the region.

What are the goals and objectives for achieving such purpose?Audubon Nature Institute’s $50.4 million appropriation request for state capital outlay funds ($11 million in Priority 1, $5.4 million in Priority 2, and $34 million in Priority 5) reauthorizes funding approved in 2016 HB2, Act 16 SES and is part of a $125 million drive to sustain the vision and mission of Louisiana’s most visited attractions. State funding, coupled with other public and private dollars raised by Audubon over the next several years, will ensure Louisiana’s leader for exceptional family fun can continue to provide world-class, educational experiences for Louisiana residents and visitors.

Using current economic impacts as a baseline, Audubon 2020 will:Increase annual Audubon facility visitation 50%, from 2 million paid visitors to 3 million. • Secure top-rated national status of Louisiana’s most popular attractions with $73 million in new projects and $47 million in major upgrades.• Increase total annual economic impact by 22%, from $583 million to $996 million.• Increase the number of jobs created and supported by Audubon activities 132%, from 6,555 to 7,996.• Increase the annual amount of Audubon-related state and local taxes collected 100%, from $37 million to $74 million. • Strategically position Audubon to serve the next generation of Louisiana’s families and visitors as the nation’s leading operator of nature-focused family attractions.

The requested state funding is an initial stimulus for economic growth and development with a proven leader in the region. Investments in Audubon 2020 will provide returns for the state, the city, and our citizens far beyond the year 2020.

What is the proposed length of time estimated by the entity to accomplish the purpose?The projects associated with this 2017-18 request are expected to be completed by 2019. The entire Audubon 2020 project will be active through 2020, with the majority of funding in place by 2017 and all construction completed by 2020.

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